Hebron WWTP - Secondary Treatment Plant Serving Hebron, Nebraska

The Hebron Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) serves the community of Hebron, Nebraska, a small town in Thayer County. With a population served of 2,206, the plant is classified as a small-scale municipal facility. It is located on River Road, near the Little Blue River basin. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater facilities of this size. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. The plant has a designed capacity of 908.50 thousand gallons per day and currently discharges an average of 605.67 thousand gallons per day, indicating operational capacity well within design limits. Treated effluent from the Hebron WWTP is discharged to the Little Blue River, which flows southeast into the Big Blue River, then into the Kansas River, and ultimately to the Missouri River and Mississippi River system. This watershed supports agricultural irrigation, aquatic habitats, and downstream communities. The plant's operation under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) ensures compliance with water quality standards to protect these water bodies.

The Hebron WWTP discharges into the Little Blue River, a tributary of the Big Blue River, which flows into the Kansas River and then the Missouri River. This watershed is part of the larger Mississippi River basin, draining a primarily agricultural region. The plant's effluent contributes to streamflow that supports aquatic life and downstream water uses, including irrigation and recreation. The area's flat terrain and seasonal precipitation patterns influence nutrient runoff and water quality, making effective treatment important for maintaining ecological balance.